Architex is committed to supporting current and emerging sustainable design innovations in the textile industry. Architex strives to give careful consideration for each product’s environmental impact while maintaining performance, cost-efficiency and design. Some of the considerations to our reduced environmental impact products include manufacturer process, materials and content, dye stuffs and finishing.
Architex recognizes sustainable philosophy, process and practice is constantly evolving as new information surfaces in our industry. Redefining our position, goals and products will be a part of our continual efforts to uphold the most current and sustainable textile products.
Resources
Architex considerations for its sustainable and reduced environmental impact products may include:
Materials & Resources
Bio-Based Content
Includes products containing renewable, natural resources. Examples include materials that are planted and harvested within a 10-year cycle (ex: cotton, wool, mohair, linen and silk).
PVC-Free
Includes silicone and polyurethane -based products and other PVC-free alternative products.
Recycled Content
Includes products containing a certain percentage of pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content.
Recyclable Content
Currently, there is no national infrastructure to recycle textiles at the end of their life-span. As such, Architex does not promote its products as recyclable.
Solution-Dyed Content
Includes products with solution-dyed content, a dye process that utilizes less energy and creates less water waste.
Manufacturing
Carbon Neutral
Products produced with a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal (often through carbon offsetting) or by eliminating emissions from society.
FR Free
Many Architex patterns are manufactured without the use of flame resistant chemicals and meet various flame code requirements without their addition. Architex patterns that are FR Free are compliant with California Assembly Bill 2998. This bill prohibits the sale and distribution in California of upholstered seating with covering and fill materials that contain 'covered' fire retardant chemicals exceeding 1,000 ppm.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a Geneva based non-governmental organization established in 1947. Representing over 150 countries worldwide, ISO's objective is to promote standardized practices in the international trade of goods and services. The ISO 14001 standard focuses on environmental management. ISO 14001 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance and applies to the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services that the organization determines it can either control or influence considering a life cycle perspective. Many Architex production facilities Architex have ISO 14001 in place to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.
Reduced Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Architex supplies many non-woven textiles that have been produced with alternative components that reduces the emissions of VOCs.
Improved Manufacturing Process
Architex supplies many textile options with improved and optimized manufacturing practices. Improved manufacturing practices may include the following: reduced water usage, reduced energy, reduced waste, recycling practices and ISO 9000 certification among others.
Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) Free
The per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Fluoropolymer coatings can be in a variety of products. These include textiles, furniture, adhesives, food packaging, heat-resistant non-stick cooking surfaces, and the insulation of electrical wire. Many PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are a concern because they: do not break down in the environment, can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources, build up (bioaccumulate) in fish and wildlife. PFAS are found in rivers and lakes and in many types of animals on land and in the water.
Certifications
Certified Vegan
The Certified Vegan Logo is administered by the Vegan Awareness Foundation (official name of Vegan Action), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about veganism and assisting vegan-friendly businesses and products. Distributed and recognized globally, the Certified Vegan Logo is a registered trademark, similar in nature to the kosher mark, for products that do not contain animal products or byproducts and that have not been tested on animals.
Cradle to Cradle
The Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard guides designers and manufacturers through a continual improvement process that looks at a product through five quality categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship and social fairness. A product receives an achievement level in each category: Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum — with the lowest achievement level representing the product’s overall mark. Product assessments are performed by a qualified independent organization trained by the Institute. Assessment Summary Reports are reviewed by the Institute, which certifies products meeting the Standard requirements, and licenses the use of the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ word and design marks to the product manufacturer. Every two years, manufacturers must demonstrate good faith efforts to improve their products in order to have their products recertified.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
GRS is a standard of verification for companies to determine the recycled content of their fabrics. It ensures corporate claims concerning recycled content of textiles are accurate and up to date. This standard is audited on an annual basis by assessing the production, trading and manufacturing processes to ensure the recycled content of a fabric is authentic.
GreenGuard
GREENGUARD Certification is part of UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories). GREENGUARD Certification helps manufacturers create and helps buyers identify interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in which the products are used.
FACTS
Facts was developed to recognize contract textiles that conform to the rigors of the multi-attribute standard NSF/ANSI 336 and are third-party certified. A Facts sustainability rating indicates a textile has been evaluated for environmental, economic and social aspects across its life cycle. To earn the Facts certification mark, Architex textiles must be assessed and verified by an independent third-party certification body authorized by the Association for Contract Textiles (ACT). Architex textiles assessed by a first or second party, or not verified by an authorized third party, cannot bear the Facts certification mark.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Oeko-Tex certification is an independent testing and certification system for textile products from all stages of production (fibers, yarns, fabrics) along the textile value chain. Oeko-Tex testing methods are based on simulation tests which take into account the potential ways in which chemicals may be absorbed through the body: skin, ingestion and inhalation. Oeko-Tex 100 means that the textiles are tested for: Banned MAK amines in dyes, carcinogenic and allergenic dyes, formaldehyde, pesticides, chlorinated phenols, phthalates, PFOS, PFOAs, surfactant and wetting agent residues (APEO), chloroaromatic compounds, extractable heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), solvent residues, ph value, colorfastness + odor, organic tin compounds and emissions of volatile components.
Organic Content Standard (OCS)
OCS is a certification awarded to products that are guaranteed as containing organic content such as organic cotton. Each party involved in the chain of production, from yarn supply to finished goods, is closely audited and controlled to ensure the item contains genuine organic content. Based on its composition, fabric is either awarded the ‘Organic Content Standard 100’ for fabrics containing more than 95% organic fiber, or the ‘OCS Blended – Organic Content Standard’ for fabrics containing between 5% and 95% organic fiber.
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS)
SCS is an international leader in third-party certification and standards development in environmental, sustainability and food safety and quality performance claims. Through auditing, certification, testing, life cycle assessment, training, and strategic consulting services, SCS helps organizations affirm and communicate their sustainability success stories.
Compliances
AB 2998
California Assembly Bill 2998, prohibits the sale and distribution in California of upholstered seating with covering and fill materials that contain ‘covered’ fire retardant chemicals exceeding 1,000 ppm. Architex upholstery textiles that are FR Free are AB 2998 compliant. This bill does not apply to other usages or applications such as drapery, panel or wallcovering.
CA Section 01350
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon containing chemicals that vaporize and can enter the body through normal breathing. VOCs can come from many sources. They are used as ingredients in paints, cleaning products and adhesives. They are released by building materials such as carpet, linoleum, composite wood products and insulation, to name a few. Many Architex do not contain carbon chemicals that would emit VOCs and are therefore not tested for CA 01350.
Healthier Hospitals Initiative (HHI) Compliant Products
Architex is honored to support the Healthier Hospitals Initiative by ensuring our products listed meet the Healthy Interiors goals and criteria of the Safer Chemicals Challenge. Practice Greenhealth does not verify this information. All products listed take into account the requirements and limitations by Kaiser Permanente and HHI in regards to many attributes including: PFCs, PVC, phthalates, heavy metals, antimicrobials, nanotechnology and flame retardants. Architex is continually adding new products that are better for human health, sustainable and perform within the healthcare environment.
Kaiser Permanente Approved Products
In partnership with Kaiser Permanente’s Environmental Stewardship program, Architex products listed meet the criteria evaluated by Kaiser’s Sustainability Scorecard. All products have been submitted and approved with Kaiser Permanente. All products listed take into account the requirements and limitations by Kaiser Permanente in regards to many attributes including: PFCs, PVC, phthalates, heavy metals, antimicrobials, nanotechnology and flame retardants. Architex is continually adding new products that are better for human health, sustainable and perform within the healthcare environment.
LBC Red List Free
The Living Building Challenge Red List is a compilation of harmful-to-humans chemicals and materials compiled by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) as part of its Living Building Challenge.
Products that contain chemicals on the Red List must not be used if a building is to achieve Living Building status. There are seven performance areas, or "petals," included in the Living Building Challenge and avoiding Red List products falls under the Materials petal. Architex patterns that are Red List Free, are compliant with the Living Building Challenge Materials petal. This requirement is intended to ensure that buildings are not only conserving energy or limiting waste, but also protecting occupant health.
Proposition 65
The State of California’s Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, became law in November 1986. Effective August 30, 2018, Proposition 65 will have updated labeling requirements for businesses to notify consumers with “clear and reasonable” warnings of potentially hazardous chemicals present in products. Warning labels are required on all products that contain chemicals found on the state’s list of over 850 compounds and must specify that the product contains chemicals “known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
Architex has reviewed the complete product line for compliance with the Proposition 65 directive. Architex products are subject to the Proposition 65 regulation labeling requirements and bear the following warning label: WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including (X chemical of concern) which are known to the State of California to cause (cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm). For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov Additional information on Proposition 65 is available at www.p65warnings.ca.gov
REACH Annex XVII
REACH is the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. The purpose of this regulation is to protect human health and the environment. Section 8 of REACH regulation REACH Annex XVII details the restrictions on certain dangerous substances and their use for a number of reasons including consumer safety and environmental issues. Consumers are becoming more aware and receptive to green, non-toxic and environmentally friendly products from an ethical point and concerns regarding the effect of prolonged contact with human skin.
Declarations
Health Product Declarations (HPD)
The HPD Open Standard is a standard specification – composed of a format and instructions – for the accurate, reliable and consistent reporting of product contents and associated health information, for products used in the built environment. The HPD Open Standard specification is harmonized with programs of International Living Future Institute, Cradle-to-Cradle Product Innovation Institute, Clean Production Action, BIFMA, LEED, WELL and a growing number of rating and certification standards in the building industry. Many Architex fabrics have HPDs available and may be requested.
Rating Systems
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System
LEED is one of the most widely used green building rating systems in the world. Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. Architex fabrics may contribute to LEED certification depending upon their content and manufacturing processes.